Special Exhibition "Toilet!? - Human Waste & Earth's Future"

* This exhibition has ended. Thank you for visiting.

This exhibition focuses on the "toilet", a topic not usually talked about openly. Studying from such topics as like the problem of feces and the environment, this exhibition will try to discover what the environment-friendly toilet is and what the ideal toilet is.

Toilets in Japan are clever and sophisticated, with a lid that automatically opens and shuts, and with a self - cleaning function. Thanks to them, we can lead a comfortable and clean life.
There are, however, challenges surrounding the toilet in Japan: some children have trouble using the school toilets because of embarrassment or some other reasons; and the problem of excretion poses a great burden to caretakers.

Turning our attention to the world, we see the fact that about 2.5 billion people in the world are unable to use toilets and many children lose their lives due to lack of sanitation. A pleasant egestion experience involves human dignity and a person's ideal toilet differs according to age, culture, and their living environment.

In terms of the global environment, sewage disposal is another major problem. Sewage that includes excrement cannot be discharged into the sea, it should be cleansed, but it includes phosphorus - a precious resource. In Japan, phosphorus is removed from sewage to reduce its effect on the ecosystem; Japanese sewage is almost completely cleaned, but at an energy cost. If we could devise a system that can remove and utilize resources from excrement, we could reduce the effect on the environment and obtain those precious resources.

As you have seen, the toilet is related to our lives on every scale from our daily life to global challenges. Now that the world population in 2050 is estimated to exceed 10 billion, we need to talk about the "ideal toilet" openly and honestly.At the venue, you can experience the toilet as never before. You will develop a completely new appreciation for the unsung toilet.

During the exhibition, workshops for parents and children and talk events will be held.

Overview

Term

July 2 (Wed) - October 5 (Sun), 2014

Opening hours

10:00 - 17:00 (Please enter at least 30 minutes before closing time)

Venue

1F Special Exhibition Zone a, National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan)

Closed

Every Tuesday except on holidays and during the spring vacation period

Admission Fees

Adults: 1,200 yen (different fees for 18 years and under and for groups)

Organizer

National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, Fuji Television Network, Inc.